Happenings in October - AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum + iVegan

Tuesday 8/10/24

I am already familiar with the AVENE Cleanance range as I am currently using Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel and Cleanance Comedomed. Hence, adding AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum to my routine felt like the perfect complement to complete my skincare set. Thanks Daily Vanity for introducing the product.

AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum is suitable for people with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, watery texture infused with Avène Thermal Spring Water, feels incredibly soothing upon application. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving behind a hydrated, dewy glow without any greasy feeling. The serum is free from fragrance. I noticed it effectively soothed redness and did not trigger any breakouts or discomfort. It’s the perfect addition to my skincare routine.

Saturday 12/10/24

We went to Starbucks for dessert where I had Buttery Scone. It was crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, with the Lurpak butter adding extra fragrance.

Sunday 13/10/24

Journey to east for iVegan at i12 Katong a health-conscious restaurant offering natural, delicious plant-based whole foods free of MSG and refined sugar. Their dishes use olive oil and pansalt.

Thanks GF for inviting me along to join her and K for the lunch, good opportunity for me to pass her recent overseas souvenirs.

The Crispy Veg Maki was the nicest among the dishes I tried, it does not lose out to the Japanese maki. Made with cucumber, carrot, red cabbage, nori, tomato salsa, vegan mayo and BBQ sauce, it was bursting with flavour.

With the growing demand for vegetarian dining, restaurants are getting more creative with their menus, and I would not mind eating vegetarian more often if it is this delicious.

Thursday 31/10/24

As time was still early, we walked over to The Marmalade Pantry for dessert. I had Pandan Gula Melaka Cake ($14++) with pandan chiffon sponge cake layers filled with a gula melaka mixture of coconut flakes and shavings. The cake was moist and infused with the aromatic flavors of pandan and coconut, making it a sweet dessert choice.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 4: Starfield COEX Mall + Vanner's Fansign Event + Starfield Library

We took a cab to Starfield COEX Mall which was quite a distance from our hotel (an hour journey if we take train). We alighted at the Gangnam Style Sculpture at 6.45pm, a popular photo spot to celebrate the global success of PSY's hit song 'Gangnam Style'.

After snapping a quick photo, we noticed a group of tourists came to crowd the spot. Not wanting to queue in the cold, especially since I left my jacket at the hotel, we quickly made our way into the mall.

As we walked around the mall, we noticed a crowd gathering around the railings. We peeked down and saw a stage set up for a fan sign event for Vanner's 3rd mini album. I decided to join in and wait around to catch a glimpse of the K-pop group.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 4: Hongdae Fashion Street + 943 King's Cross Cafe + Ewha Womans University

We arrived at Hongdae Fashion Street at 11.50am, ready to start shopping. After a few days of sightseeing, it was finally time to kickstart in retail therapy.

It was a long stretch of street lined with boutiques offering a variety of items. From trendy clothes and beauty products to unique souvenirs, there was many things to explore. Most of the clothing were thick pieces, preparing for the winter season.

I managed to get a short sleeve top from this boutique, 'From D' at ₩15,000 (or S$14.75). While the clothing in this area leaned towards the pricier side, the quality was quite not bad.

Hongdae is a bustling area filled with boutique shops, trendy cafes and eateries, making it a popular spot to hang out especially for the younger crowd. After an hour of shopping, we completed the stretch and decided it was time for lunch.

Being a Potterhead, a huge fan of Harry Potter, visiting 943 King's Cross Cafe was a must for me. It was only 10 minutes walk from Hongdae, we reached the cafe around 1.15pm.

I took a magical journey on a broomstick straight to King's Cross Station. Outside the cafe, there was a broom parking photo spot area, inviting everyone to capture a bit of magic before stepping inside.

As we stepped inside, we spotted on the right of level 1 was Ollivanders' wand shop in Diagon Alley. Known as the finest wandmaker, Ollivanders' shop was brought to life with shelves stacked with wand boxes.

On the left was the ordering counter where we placed our order before exploring the cafe further. Each person was required to order at least one drink, which seemed quite reasonable. The menu offered a decent selection of drinks, light bites and cakes.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 3: Nami Island + 12-Storey Daiso

Our last attraction was to Nami Island, which was just a 20 minute drive from Gangchon Rail Park. 

Our driver dropped us off at Gapyeong Wharf at 4.20pm where we took a 5 minute ferry ride to Nami Island. Since the island is not reachable by land transport, visitors can only access it by ferry or a zip line.

We went up to second level of the ferry, an open-air deck that offered an unobstructed view of the surroundings.

As we cruised through Cheongpyeong Lake, I enjoyed the breeze and the picturesque view of the valley, with hills forming a beautiful silhouette against the clear blue sky.

Prior to visiting, the only thing I know about Nami Island was that it was the filming location for the 2002 Korean Drama 'Winter Sonata', starring by Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo. 

We came in the period where the leaves were still in green. If we come in end October, we might be able to witness the foliage transitioning to shades of yellow and orange.

We passed by Cheonsatap Garden, four pillars to heaven, that is near the lake. The pillar added a sense of mystical charm to the landscape.

I learned that the island was named after General Nami, a historical figure from the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It is said that his body was buried beneath the stones on the northern hill of Nami Island.

Although the lake scenery was beautiful, we realised we had ventured far from the main attractions and away from the crowds. It took us another 15 minutes to cut back to the island's key attractions.

Our pathway brought us to "Winter Sonata First Kiss" location. The snowman is a mascot of Nami Island, inspired by the theme of "Winter" Sonata.

We crossed over the bridge to Yeonji Pond (Pond with Lotus), enjoying the lush green lotus leaves covering up the water's surface. This made a good spot to pause and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

The Snowman mascot was literally everywhere on Nami Island, adding a touch of charm. Without us knowing, the time was already 5pm, leaving us slightly less than an hour time on the island as we needed to be back at Gapyeong Wharf by 6.15pm.

This was the famous Central Korean Pine Tree Lane that lined the path with tall pine trees decorated with balloon-shaped light bulbs. These bulbs will light up the lane beautifully at night.

The entire island was nestled within a big garden filled with greenery, exuding a serene and calming atmosphere. There were many spots and cafes to explore. Despite its remote location, Nami Island remained a favorite destination among tourists.

We wanted to find a place to sit down for either a drink or dessert, but was worried it might be too rush to dine on Nami Island. Hence, we decided to head back to Gapyeong Wharf where we had earlier spotted some food options there.

It was only 6.25pm and the sky was gradually darkening. The journey back to Myeongdong was 1 hour 40 minutes, marking the end of our one day tour. It was a fun day, especially at Alpaca World and Gangchon Rail Park, which were the highlights for me. Nami Island, though beautiful, felt more normal in comparison.

It was 8pm when the driver dropped us off at Myeongdong Station exit opposite the 12-storey Daiso, just nice it was in my plan to visit this place.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 3: Green Dak-Galbi + Gangchon Rail Park

Our next stop was to the lunch venue which was 40 minutes drive from Alpaca World.

We reached Green Dak-Galbi at about 1.10pm. Lunch was not included in the package, so we needed to pay the cost ourselves. Each group had their own table, allowing us to order what we wanted.

This was our first Korean BBQ experience in Seoul, we ordered chicken, spicy pork and two bowls of rice. We spent most of our time busy grilling and flipping the meat every few seconds. The chicken took quite a while to cook through.

We took a stroll outside the restaurant to shake off the lingering barbeque smell, but thankfully, it was not too strong. The weather was cooler under the clear sky, with no clouds to trap the warmth.

We returned back to the van at 2.10pm and moved on to our second attraction, Gangchon Rail Park, which was just a short 15 minute drive away.

I felt a rush of excitement as we waited for our turn to get on the rail bike adventure along the converted railroad track. Each rail bike can take four pax and we were paired with a couple from Hong Kong in our group. I took the seat on the right side, responsible for controlling the brake.

We got on the rail bike at about 2.30pm and started pedaling as a team to get it moving. We needed to maintain a safe distance from the bike ahead just like in regular driving to ensure safety. It was easy to get the hang of it.

As we pedaled, we were treated to a breathtaking view of the mountainous countryside, a visual feast that accompanied us throughout our ride. The serene landscape was captivating, while cycling, I took in the sight of the natural beauty.

This part of the ride was enjoyable as we went down a slope, allowing the rail bike to zoom without any pedaling. The sudden burst of speed brought a thrill, making all four of us feeling the excitement.

The rail bike offered an escape to a countryside untouched by globalization and accessible only via the rail track. It felt both exclusive and sustainable, immersing in its natural charm.

We passed through a few themed tunnels, each offering a unique experience. We just passed by one filled with disco music, colourful lights and bubbles drifting through the air, creating a lively atmosphere that made us groove along.

After half an hour of pedaling, the stunning view of the lush green valley seemed endless. The scenery remained breathtaking throughout.

The highlight of the ride was definitely the view of Bukhan River set against the lush green valley. The landscape looked as though it had been lifted straight from a postcard, creating an unforgettable sight.

The 40 minute rail bike journey came to an end at Nanggu Village, where we took a short break for restroom at the portable toilet and a quick refreshment if you need. 

I spent the time fully immersed in the nature, unable to get enough of the sight of Bukhan River. The rail bike experience was very fun and unforgettable, filled with joy as we rode and recharged by the stunning scenery surrounding us.

I was really glad we chose the day tour combination that included the rail bike experience, especially with so many options available. This combination gave us the perfect balance of fun and scenic exploration.

After a 15 minute wait, the open-air train arrived to pick all passengers for a 15 minute ride to Gangchon Rail Bike Station. Unfortunately, we did not manage to get a seat and had to stand throughout the ride. We reached at the station around 3.45pm where our driver was waiting to take us to our next destination.

Gangchon Rail Park

1383 Gimyujeong-ro, Sindong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Operating hours: 9am to 5.30pm daily